WALLACE COLLECTION Oriental Room, London UK

Lee · 10th August 2010, 03:56 PM

What a fabulous photo of one of my favorite items in the Wallace collection! The reflections of the windows really bring the ambiance of this museum back to me - and I visit these galleries every time I visit London.

This sword is briefly discussed in: Oakeshott, R. Ewart, "Old Wine in New Bottles," Park Lane Arms Fair Catalogue 8 (1991), p. 18 - 21. Mr. Oakeshott dates the hilt as c. 1690 and the blade as a century earlier (the catalog dates it as possibly early 15th century); much of Mr. Oakeshott's discussion is centered upon the incompletely resolved question of whether the blade is of Spanish or German origin. The catalog describes the blade as 37 1/2 inches in length by 2 1/2 inches width at the hilt.

Even though much of the collection is ultra-richly decorated early 19th century, Wallace's buyers also acquired some really fine earlier examples!

There are a number of really fine European medieval swords in the next room...

carlitobrigante · 17th September 2010, 09:57 PM

hi went recently, i must have been in there for about 4 hours, although the first hour was spent trying to pick jaw back up off the floor

some pics of my own unfortunately nowhere near as good as the ones above..

One of the worlds finest collections for sure.

Nathaniel · 17th September 2010, 11:19 PM

carlitobrigante, thanks for the additional photos....disappointed though...no Dha? Love to plan a trip to the UK sometime... allot of nice arms collections there....

Nathaniel · 17th September 2010, 11:27 PM

Holy man! I just saw the 2nd set of pictures Alex took on the 1st page...the pieces from China, Tibet, Butan and more Indo/Ceyon pieces...

wow...wow...wow...Wallace had some fantastic taste!!! Stunning craftsmanship!

carlitobrigante · 17th September 2010, 11:31 PM

hi mate, now i think about it there wasnt a single dha there that i remember seeing?

If you think the pics are good wait till you go in the flesh, i went in on a weekday morning and pretty much had the whole exhibit to myself.

Went afterwards to the British museum which was just as awe inspiring.

Next visit will be to the Victoria & Albert museum and the tower armourys..

Battara · 18th September 2010, 03:39 AM

Great pictures. Especially love the yataghans - that one covered in gems is gorgeous!

Chris Evans · 18th September 2010, 04:14 AM

Hi Alex,

Thanks so much for sharing - Wonderful photos.

Cheers
Chris

10th August 2010, 03:56 PM	#1
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 938	O.A.1873 What a fabulous photo of one of my favorite items in the Wallace collection! The reflections of the windows really bring the ambiance of this museum back to me - and I visit these galleries every time I visit London. This sword is briefly discussed in: Oakeshott, R. Ewart, "Old Wine in New Bottles," Park Lane Arms Fair Catalogue 8 (1991), p. 18 - 21. Mr. Oakeshott dates the hilt as c. 1690 and the blade as a century earlier (the catalog dates it as possibly early 15th century); much of Mr. Oakeshott's discussion is centered upon the incompletely resolved question of whether the blade is of Spanish or German origin. The catalog describes the blade as 37 1/2 inches in length by 2 1/2 inches width at the hilt. Even though much of the collection is ultra-richly decorated early 19th century, Wallace's buyers also acquired some really fine earlier examples! There are a number of really fine European medieval swords in the next room... Attached Images

17th September 2010, 09:57 PM	#2
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	hi went recently, i must have been in there for about 4 hours, although the first hour was spent trying to pick jaw back up off the floor some pics of my own unfortunately nowhere near as good as the ones above.. One of the worlds finest collections for sure.

17th September 2010, 11:19 PM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	carlitobrigante, thanks for the additional photos....disappointed though...no Dha? Love to plan a trip to the UK sometime... allot of nice arms collections there....

17th September 2010, 11:27 PM	#4
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Holy man! I just saw the 2nd set of pictures Alex took on the 1st page...the pieces from China, Tibet, Butan and more Indo/Ceyon pieces... wow...wow...wow...Wallace had some fantastic taste!!! Stunning craftsmanship!

17th September 2010, 11:31 PM	#5
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	hi mate, now i think about it there wasnt a single dha there that i remember seeing? If you think the pics are good wait till you go in the flesh, i went in on a weekday morning and pretty much had the whole exhibit to myself. Went afterwards to the British museum which was just as awe inspiring. Next visit will be to the Victoria & Albert museum and the tower armourys..

18th September 2010, 03:39 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,294	Great pictures. Especially love the yataghans - that one covered in gems is gorgeous!

18th September 2010, 04:14 AM	#7
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Alex, Thanks so much for sharing - Wonderful photos. Cheers Chris